A reward fund orchestrated by MCUL & Affiliates was not used in the investigation of string of credit union robberies, but police officials were glad the reward was available if necessary.

Federal charges have been filed against six people in connection with a series of robberies at six Michigan credit unions. The men were arrested following a recent traffic stop as they were allegedly traveling to commit another credit union robbery.

In addition, police are seeking information about a seventh person who may have been involved, but has not yet been arrested.

MCUL & Affiliates worked behind the scenes to coordinate an effort to collect pledges from credit unions for a reward leading to the arrests. The league received pledges of $5,000, which MCUL was ready to match, for a $10,000 reward.

“We've had very good feedback from several credit union CEOs thanking us for the efforts in organizing the pledges and working with the Lansing Police Department, even though it wasn't actually utilized this go around,” said Ken Ross, COO and executive vice president of MCUL & Affiliates.“The Lansing police were very thankful for our efforts to make a reward available if the investigation stalled.”

Angelo George Mitchell, Allante Williams, Terrell Reese, James Steen, Defonta Howard and Jonathan Daffin have been federally charged with conspiracy to rob a credit union, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

The affidavit in support of the federal complaint references eight robberies of credit unions and one attempted robbery between Sept. 9 and Dec. 11. The affidavit explains that on December 11, a surveillance team initiated a traffic stop by Michigan State Police troopers of the six men. The complaint affidavit alleges the men were wearing makeup on their faces consistent with that seen by witnesses prior to the credit union robberies and that the six men may have been on their way to rob the DFCU Financial on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing at the time of the traffic stop.

The complaint and affidavit further allege that Scantavia Ronda Isaac was involved in the conspiracy, but has not been arrested. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact Detective Brad St. Aubin of the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-6862.

Following a preliminary hearing today in federal court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh Brenneman found probable cause supporting the charges and all six defendants were detained pending further proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim VerHey and Russell Kavalhuna indicated that they expect to present the matter to a federal grand jury for possible indictment in the coming weeks.

The arrests and charges are the result of a collaborative effort by a violent crime task force comprised of the Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, FBI, Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.